What could race photographers do better? (Page 2)

I don't know their business at all, but it does seem worth considering:  if people want the side-on shots and not so much the others (and I'm in that category too, I guess, though frankly I'll probably never pay for (or otherwise obtain) one anyway), then perhaps it is worth getting fewer decent shots from an angle people want, rather than getting lots of decent shots from an angle people don't want.

bike- side shot in the aero, mid course.
run-on the course in between not near an aid station
finish line- at the finish line with the time in the picture
keep the prices low.

Looks like we're spoiled here. The photographer at my local sprint series has a lot of great candids from before/after the race, run photos away from the finish line and away from the aid station. And there are bike shots both head-on and from the side. He sets up beside the road and does a pan shot as everyone goes by (flash set up on tripods as well).

Here are some examples:

http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/orderpage.aspx?pi=05XX006K010166&po=166

If you scroll to the end you can see the photographer riding back to transition on his MTB + all the gear.

Alas, the world is not perfect, as they do not have a finish line photographer. In that respect, I usually have someone there (but not out on the course) to take my picture with my own camera.

Edited by Meerkat Surprise 2009-09-21 10:44 PM

How about a photographer on the back of a motorcycle like one of the officials? They could get all sorts of great angles on the bike, along the run, etc. Could be a great portfolio starter...

I think they need cameras that don't pick up every bit of cellulite on the front of my thighs.

I can be feeling all good about how I'm looking, then I see the pictures from the race and they have somehow found a way to take pictures that show off my fat in all it's glory!

I don't think shutter speed is the issue for taking side photos, I think it's finding a location to take a decent shot from. I've never had a problem getting in focus, action freezing shots from the side. Of course I'm in Vegas and low light is almost never an issue. Now keeping the person in frame I have issues with, but I think that's just me.

I don't understand the people who don't want photos of them topping a climb. I love that shot. the pain on the face, all the tendons in your neck and arms sticking out. If only the race photographers around here would do more of that. I also don't mind head on shots when I'm doing something like making a relatively high speed turn, I like the knee out bike tilted over photo. Now I agree with wanting a camera that makes me look good, why is that so hard? Nikon I'm looking at you.

To those of you who don't understand why digital files are so expensive, the photographer is giving you everything, they will never be able to make money on that photo again. Of course it's going to be expensive. Try asking a photographer for the negative and see what response you get.

Here is what would make me consider buying photos. If there was a package that included pre race and post race candid shots of people along with race photos of me put into a nice book or a least a nice one sheet, or desktop background I would be inclined to buy it. Maybe give me some options for what photos are and aren't included. Maybe you could include a race map that has the photo locations highlighted. Start photos from my wave. Basically something that is better than my friends took. I don't need snapshots, I can get those for free.

For any tri with a pool swim do NOT take photos of us getting out of the pool. No one looks good doing this! Check your records, how many of those shots have you sold?

How about a sign saying 'Photographer ahead'.   I walked one time maybe 15 sec after a water station, at my 10K this weekend.  I looked up and the was the photographer snapping away.  

Lucky for you.. Brightroom was at my first xterra and both of their spots they picked were on pavement

I'll add also that shutter speed shouldn't be an issue.  I was just looking over the thumbnails from my last race and one guy decided to do a heel click for the camera, there are three shots of him while in the air and none of them blurry. 

????

That make NO sense...

All of these suggestions on what shots to take are GREAT... however, if you advertise that you will have the pictures ready WITHIN 1 week of the race, then HAVE THEM READY ON TIME!!! 

I couldn't tell you how I look in my Tri pictures, because they aren't ready yet... and, yes, it's over a week!

Price others will pay for a 3x5 print: $18
Price others will pay for a 3x5 print if a $5 digital file is offered: $0

Photogs need to look at the entire market, not just what you would do. I still want someone to do a market elasticity study to determine how much total reveneues will increase or decrease if prints/files are offered at a more reasonable price. i.e.:

Revenue generated with 5% of participants buying at $X
versus
Revenue generated with 25% of participants buying at $(X-Y)

You don't really know how true that may/may not be unless someone tries different things.  You can try to do a study, but the real world can prove to be an unpredictable market.  20 years ago people would have been ROFLOL if you told them people would be paying $5 for coffee when you could get one for $0.75 next door at the gas station.

I could take a digital pictures and go to walmart and get a cheap 3x5 print myself or to a professional developer for a little more and get better quality, but if I'm ordering things from the photog already and the price they are asking for a 3x5 is reasonably those priced for a quality product then I'd be tempted to just do that out of convenience.

I can print my own 3x4 Photo Magnet at Walmart for $3.86+tax (~$4.13) or a set of 3 for $9.86+tax (~$10.55).
I can order a 2.5x3.5 Photo Magnet from SkiPix (the local photog that did my last race) for $9+shipping (shipping is $3 for that one magnet.. no joke!!!!... so $12)

They are probably having someone make it for them using the same device Walmart uses... so I'm doubting there's a quality difference there (How many different photo magnet printing device manufacturers can there really be in the world?).  I'm basically paying for the convenience of not having to put the file on a USB stick or CD (plus the cost of that CD), make a trip to walmart, take the time to fill out whatever paperwork I need to, check back in an hour or more (or days since that magnet probably isn't made on site).  So there's is mark-up they can get away with because of the convenience factor of one stop shopping on their web site. 
A 3x markup can quickly get out of hand when you are looking for more than just a single magnet though... when I'd like a low res digital image, a magnet, a 3x5 for my office... and then want 3 different pictures from that race of me... all of the sudden that 3x markup makes me only buy the digital images from them and I'll go to walmart myself since that convenience factor is now overpriced.

Ok.. now a step farther.  The "low res" image from them is $16.  For one they never tell me what they consider "low res", is low res a 64x64 avatar? 320x240? 640x480? 800x600? I don't even know what I'd be buying.  But on top of that I went a step farther and took myself to the point of "check-out".  They want $3 for shipping on that low res image!  Really? They're going to physically ship me a digital file?... that's so 1990 of them.

Like others said, candids are great and also I like knowing there is a photographer -- for at least one open eyed shot! I call it a waste of film getting someone with eyes shut, when slowing down for a water station, or with hands in front of face when adjusting glasses or hats... and how about a side shot of legs on the run... eliminates the look of chub flub LOL